This blog analyzes public policy issues of concern to progressive Christians such as climate change, labor, health, LGBT issues, economics and public and personal finance.

Friday, August 15, 2008

USCIS detainee dies in custody

The New York Times has a very disturbing article on Hiu Lui Ng, who died in custody.

Ng had a fractured spine and advanced cancer. Both had gone untreated for months. It appears USCIS' failure to treat him, and other detainees with severe medical conditions, was willful.

Ng, a Hong Konger, applied for asylum but was denied. USCIS, then INS, mistakenly mailed a notice for him to appear in immigration court to the wrong address. Ng married an American, who petitioned for his permanent residency; USCIS arrested him at an interview for that process.

The Times has several articles highlighting the atrocious treatment of detainees in USCIS custody, and of their complete lack of oversight.